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Director Download

by Australian Institute of Company Directors · English · News

Stay governance-ready with Director Download from the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD). This weekly podcast on contemporary governance practice brings you insights into what matters now and what's coming next, with views from AICD policy experts and Australia's leading governance s

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 27 min
Latest: 13 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

13 Oct 2026 · 33 minNew

Can the World Economy Avoid Entering a Doom Loop?

Australia's economic outlook remains uncertain. A range of domestic and global pressures are shaping the conditions in which organisations operate , and for boards, understanding which economic signals matter most is critical to making informed decisions. AICD Chief Economist Mark Thirlwell joins us to examine the outlook for interest rates, inflation and economic growth, the indicators directors should be watching, and whether traditional economic levers are still enough to address Australia's economic challenges. Mark also discusses the latest Intergenerational Report and Australia's…

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Earlier episodes 23 most recent

S1 · E21 · 6 Oct 2026 · 28 min
AGM Season 2026: What Investors Are Watching
AGM s are one of the clearest tests of shareholder sentiment . As investors are becoming increasingly willing to vote against boards when expectations are not met , Philip Foo of proxy adviser CGI Glass Lewis says directors should expect closer scrutiny in several key areas during the 2026 AGM season . In this episode, Philip shares the issues likely to attract investor attention at upcoming AGMs , including auditor relationships and independence, executive remuneration , board composition, culture and AI governance. He explains how shareholder voting behaviour is changing, what effective…
S1 · E20 · 29 Sep 2026 · 33 min
Cyber Attacks: The Questions Boards Should Be Asking Now
As cyber threats become faster and more sophisticated, boards are being urged to shift their focus from preventing every attack to building organisations that can withstand, respond to and recover from incidents. So how can directors tell whether their organisation is genuinely prepared? National Cyber Security Coordinator Michelle McGuinness explain s why cyber security is a board responsibility, the questions directors should be asking and why boards should seek evidence rather than assurance when assessing cyber risk. The conversation also explores what happens when an incident actually…
S1 · E19 · 22 Sep 2026 · 27 min
Does Your Board Pass the Pub Test? Reading the Public Mood
As trust in institutions declines and economic pressures remain high, understanding community sentiment has become a critical capability for boards. In this episode of Director Download, Sue Vercoe, Managing Partner at SEC Newgate and Managing Director of its research practice , explains what her firm's "Mood of the Nation" research reveals about the issues shaping public attitudes in Australia. Sue discusses why shifts in community sentiment can act as a "canary in the coal mine", highlighting emerging concerns before they translate into policy change , regulatory sc rutiny or reputational…
S1 · E18 · 15 Sep 2026 · 26 min
Asia's Next Chapter: What Boards Need to Know
As the global economy shifts, some of the biggest opportunities for Australian organisations are emerging much closer to home. Across Asia and ASEAN countries , rapid economic and digital transformation is creating new markets, new competitors and new possibilities for growth. In this episode, David Olsson, International Director at law firm Mallesons, explores what Asia's next chapter means for Australian boards and their organisations . He examines the geopolitical and economic forces reshaping the region, the opportunities emerging in ASEAN and China, and why long-standing calls to build…
S1 · E17 · 8 Sep 2026 · 28 min
Three Years On: How Are Boards Tracking on Positive Duty?
Australia's positive duty marked a significant shift in how organisations address workplace sexual harassment and sex discrimination, moving the focus from response to prevention. For boards, t his means overseeing how prevention is embedded across workplace culture, leadership, and risk management. In this episode, Australia's Sex Discrimination Commissioner Dr Anna Cody explains what effective board oversight of the positive duty looks like in practice. She shares the questions directors should be asking management, the workforce data and cultural indicators that may signal emerging risk,…
S1 · E16 · 1 Sep 2026 · 27 min
The NPS Trap: Why Boards Need Better Customer Metrics
Net Promoter Score (NPS) is one of the world's most widely used customer metrics. It regularly appears on board dashboards, CEO scorecards and executive incentive schemes. But what does it actually measure, and what doesn't it? In this episode of Director Download, Lyndall Spooner, founder of strategic research consultancy 5D, explores why boards should be cautious about treating NPS as a proxy for customer value, growth or business performance. She unpacks the strengths and limitations of the metric, how reputation and external factors can influence results, and the questions directors…
S1 · E15 · 25 Aug 2026 · 25 min
Are the Right People Around Your Board Table?
The capabilities boards need are changing quickly . As organisations navigate new technologies , shifting stakeholder expectations and an increasingly complex operating environment, finding the right directors has become more strategic than ever. In this episode of Director Download, Ren é Johnson, Managing Director of Pacific Search Partners, shares insights from the front line of board recruitment . He explains why boards are looking beyond traditional networks and how a broader search process can help uncover the skills and perspectives needed for the future. René explains why succession…
S1 · E14 · 18 Aug 2026 · 26 min
The Challenges and Rewards of Serving on Government Boards
Government boards play a critical role in delivering long-term outcomes for communities. But while many governance fundamentals remain the same, directors unfamiliar with the public sector often discover the operating environment differs significantly from the private sector. In this episode, former NSW Attorney General and experienced director The Honourable Gabrielle Upton explains what every director should understand before serving on a government board. Drawing on her experience as both a minister and non-executive director, Gabrielle explores the realities of ministerial oversight,…
S1 · E13 · 11 Aug 2026 · 33 min
Why Boards Need To Rethink Energy
Recent global energy shocks have exposed Australia's vulnerability to fuel supply disruptions and accelerated a trend that was already underway: energy is no longer just an operational issue. For many organisations, it has become a boardroom priority. As Australia navigates the energy transition, directors are increasingly being asked to think beyond electricity bills and procurement contracts. Energy now intersects with strategy, resilience, risk management, decarbonisation and long-term value creation. In this episode, Associate Professor Tim Nelson, Chair of the 2025 National Electricity…
S1 · E12 · 4 Aug 2026 · 32 min
The Economic Forces Every Board Should Be Watching
Interest rates may grab the headlines, but they're far from the only economic challenge facing boards today. Geopolitical conflict, trade tensions, supply chain disruption, AI, the energy transition and slowing productivity are creating profound shifts in Australia's economy that will influence board decisions for years to come. In this episode, AICD Chief Economist Mark Thirlwell explores the major structural forces driving today's economic environment and what they mean for board decisions on risk, resilience and long-term growth. From the Reserve Bank's next interest rate decision to AI's…
S1 · E11 · 28 Jul 2026 · 38 min
Dr Philip Lowe: Why the ASX Governance Principles Need a Reset
The ASX Corporate Governance Principles are undergoing a significant review, with proposed changes aimed at simplifying requirements, strengthening trust and ensuring the framework remains fit for today's governance environment. In this episode, Chair of the ASX Corporate Governance Advisory Group and former Reserve Bank Governor , Dr Philip Lowe , explains the thinking behind the proposed fifth edition of the ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations. Philip discusses why the review aims to reduce unnecessary regulatory duplication while reinforcing the governance practices…
S1 · E10 · 21 Jul 2026 · 27 min
Why Director Wellbeing Is a Governance Issue
Directors are expected to make sound judgements on complex issues, often under significant pressure. But how often do boards consider whether directors themselves are in the best position to make those decisions? In this episode, workplace wellbeing expert Dr Rebecca Chabot explains why director wellbeing is far more than a personal health issue, it's a governance issue. Drawing on neuroscience, Rebecca explores how chronic stress can impair judgement, decision-making and emotional regulation . She shares practical strategies to help directors think more clearly, recover effectively and…
S1 · E9 · 14 Jul 2026 · 29 min
How High-Performing Boards Govern Culture
Organisational culture can be a powerful driver of performance, conduct and risk, yet it remains one of the most challenging governance responsibilities facing directors. In this episode, we're joined by Dr Juliet Bourke, Adjunct Professor at UNSW and Chair of Ovarian Cancer Australia, and Sally Linwood, Corporate Governance Lead at the AICD and lead author of an important new guide, Governing Culture in a Complex World . Drawing on the guide's five principles for governing culture, they explore what effective oversight looks like in practice. Together, they discuss why culture is a…
S1 · E8 · 7 Jul 2026 · 26 min
How Boards Can Drive Meaningful Reconciliation in 2026
This year marks 20 years since the introduction of Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs), alongside the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Week. Around 3, 500 organisations now have RAP s , but meaningful reconciliation is about more than commitments on paper. It calls for leadership, ac countability a nd sustained oversight from the board. In this episode, Reconciliation Australia CEO Karen Mundine explores the board's role in turning commitment into impact. She discusses what distinguishes effective RAPs from box-ticking exercises, how directors can oversee progress and accountability, and why…
S1 · E7 · 30 Jun 2026 · 30 min
The Three Questions Directors Need to Ask About AI Adoption
Artificial intelligence is rapidly moving from experimentation to organisation-wide adoption, creating both significant opportunities and new governance challenges. As AI becomes embedded across business operations, boards are playing an increasingly important role in overseeing major technology investments, managing emerging risks, and supporting responsible and effective AI use. In this episode, Professor Nicholas Davis, Co-Director of the UTS Human Technology Institute, shares what effective AI governance looks like in practice. The conversation explores how boards can align AI…
28 Jun 2026 · 1 min
Introducing: Boards with Purpose
We'd like to introduce you to another podcast offering from the AICD - Boards with Purpose. Every episode features CEOs, founders, executives and non-executive directors in conversation with Phil Butler, the AICD's NFP Sector Lead. They share their purpose-driven governance insights and experiences to guide, inspire, and inform those working within or alongside the NFP sector. Tune in every month to be inspired, strengthen your governance impact, and stay connected to the leaders shaping Australia's not-for-profit community. You can listen by searching 'Boards with Purpose' in your podcast…
S1 · E6 · 23 Jun 2026 · 22 min
Boardroom Dynamics Under Pressure: Why Culture and Candour Matter
Effective governance relies on more than just technical expertise . The culture within the boardroom itself shapes how directors challenge assumptions, navigate conflict, and make decisions under pressure. In this episode, global board adviser and author Joy Harcup explores the dynamics that shape board effectiveness. Drawing on her work with chairs, CEOs and directors, she explains how pressure influence s behaviour in the boardroom, why constructive conflict is essential for good governance, and what separates high-performing boards fr o m those that avoid having honest conversations.…
S1 · E5 · 16 Jun 2026 · 21 min
What Every Director Should Know Before a Crisis Hits
Most organisations will face a crisis at some point. The question isn't whether it will happen, but whether you're prepared when it does. In this episode, crisis management expert and SKMG co-founder Neil Shoebridge shares lessons from decades advising organisations through cyber-attacks , operational failures, reputational challenges and workforce restructures. Neil explains what separates organisations that emerge stronger from those that struggle to recover . He highlights the importance of building reputational capital before a crisis occurs, responding quickly when issues arise, and…
S1 · E4 · 9 Jun 2026 · 24 min
Governing AI Without Losing Human Judgement
AI promises greater productivity and efficiency, but could it also be weakening critical thinking, memory and decision-making? In this episode, NeuroLeadership Institute co-founder and CEO Dr David Rock shares the neuroscience behind AI adoption and explains why boards need to look beyond the technology itself. Drawing on emerging research, David explores the cognitive risks of over-reliance on AI, the importance of AI fluency, and why many organisations are approaching implementation the wrong way. For directors navigating rapid technological change, this conversation offers practical…
S1 · E3 · 2 Jun 2026 · 25 min
Inside the First Wave of Mandatory Climate Reporting
Australia's mandatory climate reporting regime has now completed its first cycle, marking one of the most significant changes to corporate reporting in a generation. For boards, the first wave of reports has provided valuable insights into the practical realities of implementation. Although still in its early stages , the regime is designed to improve the consistency and comparability of climate-related disclosures for investors and other stakeholders. M any entities have encountered challenges around data, governance, capability and cost , highlighting the scale of effort involved in…
S1 · E2 · 26 May 2026 · 29 min
Preparing for the New Era of Cyber Risk
AI is reshaping the cyber threat landscape, enabling cyber attacks to be launched at unprecedented speed and scale . R egulators are issuing urgent warnings, and boards are being told to strengthen resilience before vulnerabilities are exploited. Yet many organisations still don't fully understand their cyber risk exposure, or whether their systems, suppliers and governance processes are prepared for a major incident. Joining us to discuss the current cyber threat lan dscape is Rachael Falk. Rachael is one of Australia's leading experts on cybersecurity and regulation. She's a Partner in the…
S1 · E1 · 19 May 2026 · 25 min
What Boards Need to Get Right in Uncertain Times
Most boards think they're prepared for the next crisis; however many are still operating with playbooks built for a fundamentally different time. Roger Dennis, founder of Dennis & Partners, has spent decades helping boards and leaders navigate volatility and mitigate risk. He believes we've entered a fundamentally different operating environment. From geopolitical shocks to cascading "polycrisis" events, this conversation explores how to separate signal from noise, and what boards need to do differently to stay ahead and uncover opportunity in an unstable world. We cover: (02:00) Why most…
S1 · 11 May 2026 · 1 min
Coming Soon: Director Download
Stay governance ready with Director Download, the latest podcast from the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD). T his weekly podcast on modern governance brings you what matters now and what's coming next, in conversation with AICD policy experts and Australia's leading governance specialists. From the rise of AI to director liability and geopolitical risk, each episode turns complex challenges and opportunities into clear, actionable guidance for the board room. The first episode is coming on Wednesday the 20th of May . B e listening to stay ahead, relevant and ready to lead in…

About Director Download

Director Download is a English news podcast from Australian Institute of Company Directors. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Australian Institute of Company Directors
Language: English
Category: News
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 27 min
Latest episode: 13 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1896576074
Rights: 2026

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